The accessible Biennale

The last few decades have seen the emergence, internationally, of an increasing attention to issues related to the accessibility of cultural heritage for people affected by physical or mental disabilities: at the centre of the debate—as stated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of 2006—is the value of culture understood as a common good, in an inclusive perspective in which “all art is for all” and cultural participation is understood as an engine of individual and societal well-being.

Alongside the removal of physical obstacles from places of cultural fruition, a greater sensitivity is also being paid to the elimination of linguistic and cognitive barriers; this translates into a broader concept of accessibility, which includes the relationship with the intangible dimension of human life: access to content, concepts, thought, and in general the possibility of enjoying an aesthetic experience and an encounter with beauty; all these are elements central of the visitor's relationship with the work of art, which, also in the case of fragile categories, unwinds along the paths not of need but of desire.

Starting in 2015, La Biennale di Venezia has developed a special project designed for potential visitors usually less involved in the enjoyment of exhibitions and cultural events: people with mental health disabilities, homeless people, individuals with addictions, migrants, minors and in general individuals who find themselves in situations of social distress, with the active involvement of educational or therapeutic communities. This special inclusion project involves educational activities—guided tours and workshops—completely free of charge, and preparatory meetings for the presentation of the project, dedicated to beneficiaries and operators working in care institutions.

Special project - Seeing near and far
A programme dedicated to foreign citizens residing in Italy, aimed at refugees, migrants involved in literacy programmes and asylum seekers, and in general to people with a migration background. The initiative invites users to create shared narratives starting from the themes of the exhibition, in an intercultural perspective. Land, borders, migration, cultural identity, globalisation, diasporic ties are cues and references in the construction of these paths. The activity is directed towards the valorisation of the languages mother tongue.

La Biennale di Venezia offers special itineraries for the visually impaired or blind, with a focus on linguistic aspects and content, as well as itineraries dedicated to the deaf community, with the possibility of educational activities in Italian Sign Language (LIS).

Following the opening of the Exhibition, the following documents will be made available:

Social guide
A social guide for people with cognitive disabilities, written in easy-to-read language, presenting the history of the institution, the spaces and information about the exhibition.
The 'social stories' are short written stories that aim to develop social understanding with the goal of helping people with intellectual disabilities, or autism, to understand real-life situations, whether new or known, and to react to them by behaving appropriately. This type of guide can also be a useful tool for those who do not speak Italian fluently, such as foreigners, or elderly people, etc.

Sensory map
A sensory map showing the environments where sensory stimuli are present and services are provided: rooms with more or less intense light, the presence of sound installations, videos, loud noises and olfactory stimuli.

Accessibility map of the venues
An interactive map with information on accessible routes in the venues, on the exhibition spaces and on the accessibility of the national pavilions.

A video designed for all, featuring the exhibition spaces and providing information on the special services for visitors with sensory disabilities. It includes Italian Sign Language interpretation, subtitles, and audio description.

GPS coordinates:

Giardini venue
45.428818, 12.356828 (Viale Trieste)
45.428077, 12.360046 (Sant’Elena)

Arsenale venue
45.433188, 12.351705 (Calle della Tana)
45.435073, 12.357544 (Ponte dei Pensieri)

City of Venice official tourist website:
https://www.veneziaunica.it/en
https://www.veneziaunica.it/en/content/accessible-venice

Bar, restaurant, bookshop, restrooms with diaper changing stations, courtesy transportation service on electric vehicles for visitors with reduced mobility. Available upon request to the staff on site on a first-come first-serve basis: strollers, walkers and wheelchairs.

Celiac, vegetarian and vegan menus available. 

There is a cloakroom in both the exhibition venues at the Giardini and the Arsenale and they are free of charge.
At the Giardini there is a cloakroom attendant, and at the Arsenale there are lockers with keys.
Medium/large suitcases may not be stored, only small personal objects such as bags, jackets or umbrellas.

Small to medium-size pets are allowed on a leash in the green areas of the Giardini only.
In agreement with BAUADVISOR, a paid Dog Sitter and Dog Walker service is available, which can be booked at least 24 hours in advance.

Concessionary fees: visitors with a certified invalidity can purchase discount tickets at the Infopoints (Giardini in Viale Trento 1260 and Arsenale inside the Museo Storico Navale at Riva San Biasio 2148), by presenting the relative certification. Adults accompanying people with a certified invalidity are entitled to free complimentary admission and can collect their tickets at the Infopoints.

For further information, pleased visit our FAQ page.

For information and reservations:

Education and Promotion - La Biennale di Venezia
Tel. +39 041 5218 828
promozione@labiennale.org